When the United States’ draw for the final round of World Cup qualifying was released, coach
Jurgen Klinsmann saw one certainty on the schedule.

“We thought immediately: Columbus is the place for Mexico,” he said in a statement. “Because of
the past, because of the amazing fans in Columbus that give us such a big hand in such a crucial
game.”

After months of waiting, the plans have been completed. The United States will play host to
Mexico on Sept. 10 in Crew Stadium, where the Americans are 6-0-3 after defeating Jamaica 1-0 last
September in a World Cup qualifier. In all, the United States has outscored its opponents 13-1 in
Crew Stadium.

But most importantly, the United States is 3-0 against Mexico in Crew Stadium, including the
famous “dos a cero” win in 2001, the first of three 2-0 wins over Mexico in Crew Stadium. For a
country that is 16-32-12 all time against Mexico, the numbers are too good to pass up.

“There’s already history built in Columbus with that Mexico rivalry and the success gives the
team confidence knowing we go into Columbus and this is the place to beat Mexico,” Klinsmann said. “
The crowd is amazing. The support throughout the city, you just feel it. It really is a big
decision for us going to Columbus for this specific game against Mexico because we know we’re going
to be at home.”

The signed contract allowed Crew president and general manager Mark McCullers to breathe a sigh
of relief. Posturing for the right to play host to the game against Mexico began immediately after
the Jamaica game was completed, with Crew Stadium the odds-on favorite. But until yesterday,
McCullers could only remain outwardly confident that the Crew would land the game.

“I had no reason to believe that it wouldn’t (be played here), and nobody gave me any indication
to think that it would not,” he said. “But I respect it too much to take it for granted and not
continue to demonstrate to U.S. Soccer why we should be the choice.”

Ticket information will be released later, but fans who purchase full-plan season-ticket
packages for the Crew will be able to purchase tickets first. McCullers said the Crew’s phones
started ringing almost immediately after the news was announced.

“It reaffirms our position as the preferred for USA-Mexico, the most important U.S. men’s
national team game every four years,” McCullers said. “It’s good to know that we’re still the
preferred venue. USA-Jamaica, USA-Mexico, this is really the aspiration for our organization and
what we want to be day in and day out.”